Flickr, hhouzi
The protected area, stretching across 45 square kilometers, attracts nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. Beaches with white sand and coves with azure water, dense greenery of exotic plants, mountain peaks, and coastal cliffs preserve nature's pristine beauty.
Sai Kung East Country Park occupies most of the Sai Kung Peninsula. On the park's territory there are astonishing natural and man-made wonders. For example, a high-altitude water reservoir, which looks like a stunningly beautiful natural mountain lake, was created in 1978.
By combining natural barriers and dams built by people, the Hong Kong authorities constructed the largest freshwater reservoir, designed to solve water supply problems.
On the eastern side of the reservoir, you can see unique volcanic tuff formations - walls shaped by cooled magma into numerous hexagonal columns. This natural wonder is called a "waterfall frozen in stone," and it is several hundred million years old.
Many hiking trails of varying difficulty have been laid through the reserve. You can take a walk along a scenic route to one of the coves with beautiful beaches or to an equipped campsite. For those who have experience and hiking gear, there are mountain routes, for example, an ascent to Sharp Peak, 468 meters high.
Flickr, Marcel_Ekkel
Wan Tsai is a small peninsula belonging to Hong Kong's New Territories, where part of the Sai Kung Country Park reserve is located. The peninsula's unique relief is formed by two large hills along which hiking trails have been laid.
Wan Tsai, like the entire Sai Kung Country Park, is famous for its primeval nature, unique vegetation, and wildlife. Here you can encounter a porcupine or a leopard cat in their natural habitat, and find entire groves of the world-famous tea tree or fragrant leuzea.
Until 1999, the peninsula was a closed territory, and only at the turn of the millennium was entry here opened to tourists and scouts. Immediately after access to Wan Tsai was opened, the Hong Kong Scout Association organized an international scout gathering here - a Jamboree. For a week, scouts from Hong Kong and many other countries celebrated the arrival of the Millennium here.
Wan Tsai has several campsites for those who wish to stay in the reserve for a few days.
Flickr, chet wong
Despite the fact that Hong Kong suffers from overpopulation, its natural areas are preserved here in an almost pristine state. Around 30 parks and 11 special natural areas within the metropolis are protected by a very effective environmental policy.
Since 1996, 4 more marine parks and one reserve have been established in the coastal waters of the South China Sea. Their total area amounts to about 2.5 thousand hectares. Roughly 10% of this area belongs to the most popular and most beautiful marine park, Hoi Ha Wan.
It is located in a cozy enclosed bay on the Sai Kung Peninsula. White sand and lush tropical vegetation - the picturesque landscapes of this place look like the embodied idyll of the most enticing advertising images, and beneath the water an entire coral city lies hidden. You can see it and meet the exotic inhabitants of the sea depths by diving with a mask or scuba gear.
It is great if your camera is ready for underwater photography - you will bring home unique shots! Fishing is strictly prohibited here, because this is part of a protected natural complex, but a whole range of water activities that are harmless to the flora and fauna is available.
